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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To worry about the safety notices on motorways?

60 replies

MinimumPayment · 30/05/2015 18:32

The ones in orange lights that have messages like "Look out for bikes", "Keep your distance" or "Don't drink and drive"

To me, it seems that there more likely to be a distraction than to actually change anyone's behaviour. I mean, if you're the kind of driver who doesn't routinely keep your distance, is that going to change because a sign tells you to?

Meanwhile, the majority of drivers, who do routinely follow this advice are distracted momentarily while they read the signs.

OP posts:

Dansak · 30/05/2015 18:37

The other week on the motorway it said 'warning oncoming vehicle ' now that was distracting!

In general I think they're fine though.

Glittertwins · 30/05/2015 18:40

How about the so-called traffic information that takes your attention away from the present to trying to work out where the problem is and whether it will affect you. Last week, the M1 had a traffic incident which was over 70 miles away further north. We've also had M4/ M5 notices posted on the M25!

ItsTricky · 30/05/2015 18:40

'People in carriageway' was freaky. Especially as no one slowed down

MrsTrelis · 30/05/2015 18:41

The one that says 'Caution, Queue' always winds me up, as I've usually been in said queue for at least a mile before the sign points it out, so I think I, and my fellow drivers are probably aware.

Ohbollocksandballs · 30/05/2015 18:42

I've seen a 'people in carriageway' it freaked me right out, especially since it was going dark!

Jollyphonics · 30/05/2015 18:43

I agree OP, I find them really distracting

noblegiraffe · 30/05/2015 18:48

I hate the signs that say 'slow, incident ahead' and they keep repeating then say end without there having been any sign of an incident. It's like the boy who cried wolf.

ARealPipperoo · 30/05/2015 20:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ditavonteesed · 30/05/2015 20:19

how about drive lower emmisions, how would one go about doing that exactly?

lostincumbria · 30/05/2015 20:23

I love the long-distance warnings. If I'm near Watford and know there's a problem on the M6 in Birmingham I can stay on the M1 and re-route rather than being stuck for hours.

HappenstanceMarmite · 30/05/2015 20:30

Exactly lostincumbria. Some of us are travelling further than the end of our noses the current motorway we are on.

I DO approve of the "Keep left unless overtaking". Not that any bstard sees to take any notice ??

TheMagnificientFour · 30/05/2015 20:32

These signs are useless and I usually take no notice unfortunately.
One that tells me that the M1 is closed at junction xx doesn't help if said junction is 50 miles away and you have no idea if you will come out before or after.
the ones that tell me to slow down because of an accident and you can't see any (out of date)
the ones with the 'speed' asking to slow down (I suppose because of heavy traffic etc...) and again there is no reason.

And yes then there are the ones about 'don't drink and drive'... I suppose it's suppose to make peole think before stopping at the services and having a pint I very much doubt it

WeAllHaveWings · 30/05/2015 20:32

The signs are there to warn of traffic issues, road closures etc.

When there is nothing to report they put up basic "safety" messages. Some of which I agree are very

To be honest if I found something that minor distracted me from driving safely I would question whether I should be driving on a motorway at all! So YABU.

TheMagnificientFour · 30/05/2015 20:33

The problem I have with the long distance info is that, on paper, they are good.
But they are only good if you have any idea where junction 37 is which tbh I would imagine very few people will know (esp of you use a sat nav to navigate your way around anyway)

ChuffinAda · 30/05/2015 20:38

Average speed cameras worry me more. I don't know about others but I spend more time than I should checking my speedo. That can't be safe.

fiveacres · 30/05/2015 20:40

The 'animals in the road' always makes me shit myself. I have yet to see an animal in the road apart from the corpses of badgers. Nonetheless I always expect a Noah's ark scenario charging down the M54!

Bunbaker · 30/05/2015 20:40

I do a lot of motorway driving and I find the signs useful and not the least bit distracting, especially when referring to road closures or traffic incidents. Maybe because I am a confident and fairly competent driver I don't have a problem with them.

Sparklingbrook · 30/05/2015 20:42

I saw a 'people in carriageway' one last month on the M25 at rush hour. It turned out to be one bloke walking very slowly on the hard shoulder against the barrier. I guess the cameras picked him up. I was expected hoards of pedestrians in the outside lane or something.

KirstyJC · 30/05/2015 20:42

I particularly like the ones saying 'Fog'. I am always so relieved to find out what the white stuff that I have been driving through for the last 5 mins is, just in case it was the world ending or something. FFS - if a person can't work out what fog is, they really really shouldn't be driving!

And the ones saying 'sign not in use'. Yes it is! It is a saying that the sign isn't in use!! ARGGH

fiveacres · 30/05/2015 20:48

YY Kirsty!

And 'congestion' when it's like a car park.

No shit, Sherlock!

manchestermummy · 30/05/2015 20:48

My favourite recently was "Stranded vehicle in lane". Stranded. As if it had wandered there of its own accord and run out of bus fare home.

I don't like the "Congestion on a motorway you don't intend to travel on 200 miles away" signs either but I can sort of see the logic: you could either reroute or at least you'll know you'll be late.

Etihad · 30/05/2015 20:50

Generally they are ok, but I struggle at times in Wales, where they are often bi-lingual. I totally agree with having everything in Welsh - but there is no consistency regarding which language is at the top or bottom of the sign, so working out a) which bit I need to read b) what it says and c) if it is relevant when going past at 80 70 is a challenge.

manchestermummy · 30/05/2015 20:51

fireacres I feel that gantry signs are just goady: at 8 am no bugger can do 40 mph between certain junctions of the M60 and it's like they're teasing. "Look what you could be doing you person who hasn't got out of first gear yet"

Bunbaker · 30/05/2015 20:55

The ones I generally see are "Queue ahead" and details about problems on Woodhead Pass, the M62 or the M60. While they aren't relevant to me they will be useful to lots of other drivers. I agree that signs saying don't drink and drive/don't drive tired and fog are a little obvious. Although I have experienced driving from bright sunlight into a sudden bank of fog before so that one isn't necessarily as ridiculous as you think.

We also get signs warning of road closures over the Pennines in winter, and these are very useful indeed.

fiveacres · 30/05/2015 20:56

Manchester - my husband used to say that!

These are really making me laugh actually! I was so fed up a minute ago and now I am cackling away at stranded vehicles and lone pedestrians scaring Sparkling into thinking crowds of people are charging down the M25!
'

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